Since I stopped eating meat I have been on a quest to create delicious vegan recipes like this jackfruit bbq pulled pork sandwich. The sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors of the bbq sauce mixed with the meaty texture of shredded jackfruit are proof that plant based food can be just as delicious as the real thing! This sandwich is so delicious that even devoted meat eaters will love it! This recipe is 100% vegan.
It’s been quite an easy transition going from being a meat eater to a non-meat eater. I am not vegan but have ditched red meat and only eat poultry on special occasions, 3 or 4 times per year. Many people wonder what caused me to make that change and I tell them that it was a long time coming. It was partly for ethical reasons, and also because I simply never enjoyed eating meat that much. But what made the transition easy was finding really good substitutes so I could keep eating some of my favorite meat dishes such as Japanese hambagu, Korean bulgogi, shepherd’s pie, and this pulled pork sandwich.
Jackfruit is one of those substitutes. I often use it to mimic shredded pork because the texture is very similar (even better if you ask me). It’s a great ingredient to use for dishes like this bbq pulled pork sandwich. The texture is rich and meaty and when mixed with a barbecue sauce, is almost impossible to distinguish from the real thing!
Table of contents
Ingredients
- Canned Jackfruit: Get canned jackfruit in water or plain with no seasoning. Avoid canned jackfruit in brine or in syrup since they have a strong taste that will completely change the flavors of this recipe.
- Aromatics: The aromatics are there to boost the already smoky and earthy flavors of the barbecue sauce. I am using a mix of paprika, chili powder, and turmeric powder.
- Oil: A little neutral oil is needed to saute the jackfruit. I am using vegetable oil but feel free to use any other type of neutral oil that has a high smoke point.
- Barbecue Sauce: Pick your favorite since it will be the main flavor of this dish! I personally really like Stubb’s Spicy BBQ Sauce because it’s tangy, smoky, and not too sweet.
- Burger Buns: Fresh burger buns are best or hot dog buns can also work if that’s all you’ve got.
- Coleslaw: A creamy, slightly sweet and tart coleslaw made with vegan mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, and salt and pepper.
Variations
- Make it more meaty. Add 1 teaspoon of miso paste (up to 2 is okay) to give the dish a meatier flavor. Miso paste is full of umami and has the ability to add a meat-like flavor to certain dishes. This is one of them!
- Add more toppings. Make it more unique by adding sliced red onions, freshly chopped cilantro, sliced tomatoes, sliced avocados, or a slice of vegan cheese. The options are endless!
- Give it a curry taste. Add 1 teaspoon of either curry powder or cumin powder to give the dish and Indian flair.
How To Make This Jackfruit Sandwich
- Make the coleslaw by mixing all of its ingredients in a bowl.
- Shred the jackfruit using a knife or your fingers.
- Mix the jackfruit with some paprika, chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt.
- Cook the jackfruit with the barbecue sauce until it’s tender and looking like pulled pork.
- Make the burgers and serve with your favorite side.
Expert Tip
- Cook the jackfruit for longer if it’s still tough. Every can of jackfruit seems to be different! If you are lucky, you will open it and find that the jackfruit inside the can is mature and tender. Not so lucky if you get young jackfruit since it’s more fibrous and takes longer to soften. Follow my recipe but do give your jackfruit more time to cook if it needs it. The final texture is extremely important to the success of the dish.
Storage and Reheating
While the entire sandwich should not be made ahead of time – the buns would get very mushy – the bbq jackfruit and coleslaw can be. Save them in separate airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To reheat the bbq jackfruit: Add it to a skillet with a little oil and cook on medium low until it’s hot. Or microwave it on high.
What To Serve With It
Pairing this bbq jackfruit sandwich with a side salad or fries, like these air fryer fries, is the classic way to go and a sure way to make everybody happy. If you would like to pair it with something a bit more out there, I recommend trying it with a side of furikake fries, curried mashed potatoes, blistered shishito peppers, or a Japanese coleslaw.
And I highly recommend serving it with a mint lemonade or virgin margarita for your next backyard celebration!
Other yummy plant based recipes you might like:
- Slow cooker pinto beans
- Vegan fried rice
- Spicy vegan sichuan noodles
- Vegan gyudon
- Soy and sesame edamame
Frequently Asked Questions
While canned jackfruit isn’t sold in your average supermarket, it should still be fairly easy to find. Southeast Asianย supermarkets and some Chinese grocery stores will have some. Whole Foods and other organic markets should have a few options as well. Lastly, it can also be purchased online, such as here on Amazon. Make sure you get jackfruitย in water – not in brine or syrup – since you want the meat to be unflavored.
Unfortunately no. Fresh jackfruit is very sweet, difficult to shred, and is extremely sticky (like honey). Fresh jackfruit is absolutely delicious but should only be eaten as it was meant to be eaten – as a fruit.
Did you like this recipe? Are there changes you made that you would like to share?
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Jackfruit BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Pan frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This is an easy jackfruit bbq pulled pork sandwich recipe packed with creamy, sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.ย
Ingredients
- 2 20–ounce can jackfruit in water, drained and patted dry
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 4-6 burger buns
Coleslaw
- 2 cup coleslaw premix
- 1/3 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon 100% pure maple syrup
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients for the coleslaw in a bowl and toss. Set aside.
- Either cut the hard end of the jackfruit (the tough part that doesnโt shred) or press it until it flattens and becomes easy to pull apart. Shred the remaining part using your fingers.
- Add the shredded jackfruit to a bowl and toss with paprika, chili powder, turmeric and salt.
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, add the oil and jackfruit. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Add the barbecue sauce along with 2 tablespoons water and stir. Lower heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes – stirring every 5 minutes to prevent the sauce from burning.
- Warm up the burger buns and top with the bbq jackfruit and coleslaw. Add more barbecue sauce if needed. Serve.
Notes
Store the buns, coleslaw, and jackfruit pulled pork separately. Jackfruit bbq pulled pork:ย Place it in an airtight storage container and refrigerate for up to 7 days. Coleslaw: Place it in an airtight storage container and refrigerate for up to 7 days. Burger buns: Transfer them to an airtight storage bag and refrigerate until the expiration date listed on the package they came in.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 465
- Sugar: 13.8g
- Sodium: 596mg
- Fat: 10.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 83.2g
- Fiber: 2.3g
- Protein: 4.7g
- Cholesterol: 12.6mg
Too Good โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ
OMG WOW it tasted so good this recipe is a keeper is simple but the flavors a total hit. Definitely saving it . Thank you for sharing anyone looking to make it so not hesitate it is amazing.
Thank you Melisa! ๐
Thank you for letting us know that fresh jackfruit can not be used in this recipe.
Wowโฆ This Jackfruit Sandwich looks really awesome and Delicious. I will definitely give it a try. Never tried this kind of recipe ๐ Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe with all of us. Best wishes and Regards.
Hi…I have a Jackfruit tree in my garden and it is very plentiful here …It can be used fresh but you have to prepare it correctly and use it while it is still green/unripe and then cook it…It then shreds with no problem…:) I have the instructions on my site ..:)
Wow… This Jackfruit Sandwich looks really awesome and Delicious. I can’t wait to try them at my home. My Hubby would definitely love this for sure. Can I add some sesame seeds also in the sandwich?? Thanks for sharing this recipe with all of us. Looking forward to more recipes like this. Best wishes and Regards.
Yes of course! If you like more nuttiness, the sesame seeds will also add a nice little crunch ๐
Yeah, It was really yummy. Tried this recipe at home. Everyone loved it completely dear. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe. Keep sharing Best wishes and Regards.
I almost couldn’t believe this wasn’t pulled pork! Looks so flavorful and delicious- can’t wait to try!
Hello! What other types of fruit can we use besides jackfruit? Thanks! -Siew
Hi Siew, unfortunately there is nothing that can replace the texture of jackfruit to make it exactly like pulled pork. You can find it easily though, either at your local Asian grocery store or on Amazon ๐